Matthew 11:25-30

It is said that the heart pumps about 100,000 times a day to keep us alive. Hence, it has become a symbol of life. Therefore when the heart is no longer pumps, there is no more life. 

The heart has also become the center of our spiritual life. It is different when we do things with a heart. It is said that the Filipino worker is very much appreciated because people sense that they do things from the heart. From nurses to seaman, to domestic helpers to singers, to executives to engineers, we do things from the heart.

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The symbol of the Sacred Heart tells us three things: 

1. Thorns are the sins of humanity that hurt the heart of God
2. The Flame and Cross represent the burning love of Jesus
3. The Blood represents the life Jesus gave for our salvation

Hence, today’s solemnity reminds us of God’s very intense love for our humanity and with this love, comes the twelve promises of Jesus: 

• Christ promises: “I will give them all the graces necessary for their state in life.” 
• Christ promises: “I will give peace in their families.” 
• Christ promises: “I will console them in all their troubles.” 
• Christ promises: “They shall find in my heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.” 
• Christ promises: “I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.” 
• Christ promises: “Sinners shall find in my heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.” 
• Christ promises: “Tepid souls shall become fervent.” 
• Christ promises: “Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.” 
• Christ promises: “I will bless the homes in which the image of my Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honored.” 
• Christ promises: “I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.” 
• Christ promises: “Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in my heart and it shall never be effaced.” 
• Christ promises: “The all-powerful love of my Heart will grant to all those who shall receive communion on the first Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under my displeasure, nor without receiving the sacraments; my heart shall be their assured refuge at the last hour.”

My dear friends whether in this life or in the transition to the next life, we can be assured of the intense love of God. At times we may not be able to understand God’s mysterious ways and plans, but we must all be assured that He loves us so much.